Six Nations: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton expects to be fit to face Scotland
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Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign at home to Scotland on 1 February
Johnny Sexton has said he expects to be available for selection for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Scotland on 1 February.
The Leinster fly-half has not played since injuring his knee in their Heineken Champions Cup win over Northampton in early December.
"Everything has been going to plan, so hopefully I can take part in training tomorrow," said the Ireland captain.
"If anything, a little bit ahead of schedule."
Joey Carbery, who was Sexton's deputy at the World Cup, will miss the tournament with a wrist injury, which means Leinster's Ross Byrne and Ulster's in-form Billy Burns will be the back-up fly-halves in Farrell's first Ireland squad.
Sexton was selected by new head coach Andy Farrell to lead Ireland into the Six Nations after former captain Rory Best retired following Ireland's World Cup exit in October.
The 34-year-old was proud to be selected for the role but accepts it may only be a short-term appointment.
"I think everyone would want to be captain but it's about someone wanting you to do it," he added.
"That's the biggest honour you can be asked to do and it meant a lot that Andy asked me to do it, that he thought I was the one to lead us forward into this campaign.
"It's obviously a campaign-by-campaign thing at the moment and we'll see how we go."
Jordan Larmour was forced off after 71 minutes in Leinster's victory over Benetton
With seemingly positive news on Sexton's availability, Farrell is now waiting on the fitness of Jordan Larmour.
Leinster full-back Larmour sustained a foot injury during Saturday's Champions Cup win at Benetton.
"We met up (on Tuesday) and had a bit of a walk-through so he was able to partake in that," Farrell said.
"We'll have to take it day by day. We don't think it's anything too serious but how that's going to play out in the next few days, we'll have to wait and see."